1000 words...

A picture is worth a thousand words... I'm hanging up my dancing shoes...  I no longer have the desire to do much of anything, let alone write.  What used to inspire and excite me now brings me only pain and sorrow.  I sometimes wonder if I'll ever recover...  Only time will tell...  Some will think that I am a poor loser.  Sad, cause that's SO far from the truth.  Some have speculated that I cheated somehow in order to win an award.  How could you possibly be proud of an award you won by cheating?  But by far, the heart break of this entire experience, is knowing that the people in J-Land that I love the most, the ones that I truly called 'friends' are the ones who felt I was cheating.  I thought they knew me better than that.  And they didn't even believe in me enough to ask me.  For some reason they just assumed the worst.  I could have taken it if others had called me a cheater.  But not my J-Land friends.  They have broken my heart forever.  Writing will never be the same for me again.

And the winner is...

                                                   The long awaited results are in! The Winner’s in the 2004 People’s Choice Awards are:
THE KING/QUEEN OF J-LANDGregg "Golden Child, Superstar!" THE LADY OF THE BLOGSlow Motion Life ~ "A Life in Slow Motion"
LORD OF THE BLOGScreamin Remo 303 ~ "Screaming Remo" MOST LOL MOMENTSJeff Comedy ~ "What the Hell" BEST USE OF ANIMATIONVivian SulliNwank ~ "Viv's E-Thoughts" BEST GRAPHICSGregg "Golden Child, Superstar!" THE SUTTERBUG AWARD
Son en Smilin Mon ~ "Backroads of Life"
MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING

Read Me Read You ~ "Life As I See it"
ROOTIE TOOTIE FRESH 'N FRUTIE
Danielle D1 ~ "Everybody Knows" BEST THEME-BASED JOURNAL Sekirley ~ "Stories From My Ambulance" BEST USE OF MASKED VULGARITIESMuse N LA ~ "Amused" BEST USE OF GRANDIOSE BEHAVIOR (a tie)Floralilia ~ "Freely Floralilia" LA Move 04 ~ "Albert's Artsy World of Fun" BEST J-BRAT ON THE BLOCKJB Coupe ~ "My Frog Journal" THE J-TEEN SUPREME
Svenska Girl ~ "Emily's Life"
THE MAD HATTER AWARD

Karen Sull 12 ~ "Jukebox Woman"
I'S GOT GOOD GRAMMAR
Read Me Read You ~ "Life As I See It" MOST ORIGINAL/CREATIVE JOURNAL
Haiku Like ~ "Interactive Haikus"
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD

Bare Bytes ~ "Community Story Book"
MOST HEART-WARMING JOURNAL ENTRY
MKG Ninja ~ "Happy Anniversary Baby" GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AWARD
Dave the Sod ~ "World of the Sod"
SIR BLOGS-A-LOT
Dave the Sod ~ "World of the Sod" THE J-QUEEN OF ENGLAND
Agathas Place ~ "Damn, Blast, Bollox"

Please join me in congratulating these exceptional writers!  Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.  A special thanks to those who voted for me... without your support and encouragement,
I wouldn't be the person I am today. 
To my friend Ray ... thanks for sharing me so often with the computer.  For never complaining, picking up my slack, holding me when I'm scared and pushing me when I need it.  And for having an incredible amount of faith in me. 
To my kids, Lisa, Tina, Joe and Bonnie ... thanks guys!  For making everything worth it.  For believing in me when no one else did.  And for clapping long after everyone else stopped.  I love you guys!

Polls close at midnight tonight!

 

Just in case you've been too busy to vote
in The People's Choice Awards this past week, the deadline
has been extended until 12 midnight tonight (Pacific time).
Thanks to 'Lynda's Lullaby'  here is a complete list of the categories, the nominees and links to every Journal.  Try to make the time to explore each one when you have the chance.
Every Journal has it's own unique style, subject and flavor.
The authors are talented and creative people from all walks of life, and I guarantee you'll have a great time visiting them all.
As for me... I'm very proud to have been nominated in the following categories:

1) King/Queen of J-Land:  As honored as I am to receive this nomination, I really don't deserve it.  Gregg, of Golden Child and
Vivian of Viv's E-Thoughts are the only true choices.  Both have done so much to make J-Land what it is today.  And neither one of them,
as overwhelmed as they must be, are ever, EVER too busy to stop what they're doing and help a fellow blogger who has a question or a problem.  PLEASE vote for either of them.  I wish they could both win. The Nominees in this category are:

THE KING/QUEEN OF J-LAND
Donah42 - 'Hippies in Yuppie Land'
Golden Child NC - 'Golden Child, Superstar!'
On Mi Own Now 2 - 'The Occupant'
Slow Motion Life - 'A Life In Slow Motion'
Vivian SulliNwank - 'Viv's E-Thoughts'  

2) Lady Of The Blog - Best Female Journal:  To be honest... I was shocked speechless when I was nominated for this one!
(a condition that rarely affects me).  Some people have said that the nomination is thrilling, but there's nothing like actually winning.
I'm not sure I feel the same way.  I am so proud to be nominated for this Award.  To make it even more exciting, I am up there with all majorly talented people!  For the rest of my life, I can tell everyone I meet, that I was once nominated for BEST FEMALE JOURNAL
(I definitely want this nomination mentioned in my eventual eulogy).  Thanks to everyone who voted for me!  You all made one girl happy for eternity!  The nominees in this category are:

LADY OF THE BLOG (Best Female Journal)
FREEE PEACE - 'Journeyto Peace'
JC Georgia Peach - 'The Peach Pages'
Karen Sull 12 - 'Jukebox Woman'
On Mi Own Now 2 - 'The Occupant'
Slow Motion Life - 'A Life in Slow Motion'

3) Most LOL Moments In One Journal:  (That means funniest, Mom.  She doesn't talk PC).  This was such an honor!  I'm too shy to pursue a career in Stand-Up Comedy, so writing is the next best thing.
It's what I do.  What I am.  What I want to be.  To get an Award for it, would be a dream come true.  Thanks.  From the bottom of my heart.  The nominees in this category are:

MOST LOL MOMENTS IN ONE JOURNAL
Jeff Comedy - 'What the Hell?'
LA Move 04 - 'Albert's Artsy World of Fun'
On Mi Own Now 2 - ' The Occupant'
Screamin Remo - 'Screamin' Remo'
Yakvette - 'Do I Amuse You?'

4) The Mad Hatter Award:  The description included with this Award says that it is "daily ranting taken to a new level".  I'm hoping that it means, "complaining about things in an entertaining way".
But I'm not sure...  None of the other Journalers seemed very pleased that they were nominated for this Award.  Maybe they know something that I don't.  Some of them are angry.  One was practically outraged.  Another is suspected of hiring a private detective to track down the person who nominated her.  I've heard murmurings of hired hit men...  But I sit here unfazed.  What does that say about me?
Am I having a really long 'blonde moment'?  Hmmm...  But thanks!
I think...  The nominees in this category are:

THE MAD HATTER AWARD
Karen Sull 12 - 'Jukebox Woman'
Lucy Lou Lady Bug- 'On the Tip of My Wings'
Redhd Ka - 'A Brand New Day'
On Mi Own Now 2 - 'The Occupant'
Scremin Remo 303 - 'Screamin' Remo'

No matter what happens, no matter who wins, I think we all had a great time.  I'd like to thank all the J-Land Community Members for creating and maintaining Journals that entertain, educate,
inspire and make us look at the world in a new way.
For sharing themselves, their families
and their lives with us.
I'd like to thank all the people in the community who  tirelessly worked to make both the Awards and Our First Anniversary not only possible, but special and memorable.  I'd like to thank all the Readers who faithfully come by and leave comments in our Journals, who encourage us to keep writing.  And I'd like to thank all the people that took the time out of their busy days to vote in both the Nominations and The Final Phase of The People's Choice Awards.
Thanks!  From all of us! 

                                             


       

Last day to vote!

            

                I NEED YOUR VOTE!

                                        

The voting polls will be closing at 12 midnight tonight! 
There's not much time and the race is really close! 
PLEASE!
Get out there and vote, America!                                 

                                         

Normally... I'd go on to say that my fellow candidates
are extremely talented and more than deserving
of their nominations.  I'd probably suggest that you
take the time to check out their Journals,
as they are all exceptional in their own way.
Depending on my hormonal influx at the moment,
I may even tell you to hold your vote
until you had the opportunity tobrowse through
the other Journals... and then vote
for the one you felt was best.

                  But time is short,
           so I'm not gonna do that!
                 Just vote for me!

                       HURRY!

           It only takes a minute!

                                               

 

                     C'mon America!! 
(I can say that cause I'm not up for the Good Grammar Award!)

             A vote for me is a vote for America! 
                For your mother!  Your sister! 
                    Your best girl friend!
          The nurse that gave you pain meds! 

I represent all the middle-aged women
who can't afford cosmetic  surgery!
All the women who rarely have a good hair day!
All the people who have phobias!  All the divorced women!
All the Empty Nesters that miss their kids terribly,
but light a candle in church every week
praying that they don't come back!
All the kids who had their hands whacked with a ruler
by their Catholic School Nuns.  All the chocoholics in the world!
All the people who need to lose weight!  All the women over 40
who wonder if they'll ever get married again!
All the people whose spouses are pack rats!
All the mothers whose daughters exclusively date losers!
All the people who were royally ripped off at the car dealership.
All the people with pacemakers!  All the cat lovers!
All the Parrot Heads!
All the people who have had to battle city hall
for a construction permit!
All the people with slipped discs!
All the people who work midnights!
All the people who love Christmas decorations!
(even the cheap and gaudy ones)
All the people who can't read html!
All the people who live in a dwelling
that should be burnt to the ground.
All the people who live in New Jersey! 
All the people with leaky basements!
All the people with high cholesterol!
All the people who have had sun poisoning this summer!
All the people who can't ski!
All the people who hate going to the dentist!

And all the people who didn’t fall into any
of the aforementioned categories!

                         VOTE NOW!

  VOTE THE OCCUPANT 

             Do it cause you know it's the right thing to do.

 

                                                     

                                     

                                                   

                                                                             

          

 

Get out there and vote!

To see my Journal up there with some of the best and most talented people in J-land is ... truly humbling.  I'm honored and excited.  I'd like to thank all the people who voted for me in the nominations phase, and wish all of the candidates good luck.
Before you make your final decision, let me take this opportunity to show you who I really am...

Each highlighted word is a link that will take you to an entry that I feel best describes my personality and convictions that may qualify me for the titles of ‘Lady Of The Blog or Best Female Journal,' ‘Most LOL Moments in One Blog’ and ‘The Mad Hatter Award’.  These are the entries that I feel are my best work.  If you put them altogether they add up to my Finest Hour!

I'm a 49 year old DWF from New Jersey.  I am in the process of renovating my friend Ray's house, which has proved to be quite a challenge since it's located directly above the gates of hell.  I am a nurse ... actually one of the Nursing Supervisor's at a large area hospital.  The one you call when you don't like your roommate, your TV doesn't work, or you hate green colored Jell-O.  I have three grown kids, and one small, but adorable grandbaby.  I've spent the past two years battling the Empty Nest Syndrome, menopause, quitting smoking, losing weight and learning to live with the Grand Poobah of all pack rats.  I am actively studying to be a Senior Citizen, and have been blogging since last October.  I also have a Web Site and I'm in the process of writing a book. 

   
VOTE FOR ME!

Why?  Because I'm just like you.   Same values, same struggles, same goals.  A vote for me is a vote for you.

I'm a typical middle-aged, DWF from New Jersey, who hates diets, and has an addiction to  chocolate.  I'm a  do-it-yourselfer, and I can frequently be found enjoying the great outdoors from the safety of my computer screen.  Although I have days when all I can hope for is that I can reach the remote control to the TV if it falls under the bed, I know the secret to happiness! 
I know exactly what I want to do with my life.  I know where I'm going.  But I’ll never forget where I’ve been. 

I have goals and nothing will get in my way. 

I know the meaning of dedication... I’m more than willing to sacrifice my own well-being for the sake of others, or even that of Ray’s, if it comes to that.

I seem to know immediately what's important.

I'm not afraid to ask important questions. 

Some people may wonder what kind of scruples I have.  Would I stoop to new levels of lowness to get what I want?  That depends entirely on how you define... low.  

I know how to be politically correct; and I strive to always keep an open mind.  My many years of scientific research have kept me sharp.

My enemies may accuse me of being hormonal.  But I know my limitations; and I know when to slow down.

I'm not afraid of a challenge.  I even have a cause...

But above all else … I'm American!

Now get out there and vote America!  Do it for the Gipper!
Do it for yourselves!  Do it for ME!  Just do it!

(This advertisement has been approved by The Occupant.  All opinions, viewpoints and deranged thoughts are solely that of said Occupant, and were never expected to be regarded as valid, rational or exact.)

The Envelope Please!

Not only are we celebrating the First Anniversary of AOL Journals this month, it's also Awards time in Journal Land!  Everyone is excited and raring to go.  There are so many talented and creative people, it will be hard to choose one winner.  There are many categories for the Awards, and you can vote for the nominees anytime this week up until midnight Thursday.  So come on in, relax, take a look around, and explore all of the Journals you can.  (There's a bunch of great ones in my sidebar).  You'll have a lot of fun, learn some amazing things, and get to meet some of the most wonderful people in Journal Land.  
Take the time to nominate your favorites, and then please come back to vote.  Show the bloggers just how much you enjoy their writing, and appreciate them sharing their stories and photos.
The easiest way to vote is to copy the url address of any Journal you find 'nomination worthy' and paste it into a blank E-mail.  Click on the voting button, and then repaste the url's you copied in the E-mail into the different categories.  It would be great if you nominated someone for every category, but it's not required. 
 
Just in case you want to nominate, let's just pick a random name out of the air to use as an example...  ummm... ME (I know... I am totally shameless)... here's the link from my Journal, all ready for you to copy and paste! 
http://journals.aol.com/onmiownnow2/TheOccupant/  

It would be thrilling just to be nominated!  OK... so I really want to win.  There.  I feel so much better now. 

So... what are you waiting for? 
Do it!  Go make someone's day!       

                                                       

Let freedom ring!

  

The Money Pit

Everybody has a little bad luck from time to time.  I've always believed that the purpose of bad luck was to help you appreciate good luck when you have it.
I'm beginning to think that maybe the good luck is just a ploy to trick you into believing that all you have to do is just hang in there a little longer, and things will get better...After I met Ray, saw his house, got up enough courage to go inside, made a path through the middle so we could walk, plowed down the weeds, hired some guys to pull down the crumbling shingles, hauled away the collapsed porch and deck, replaced the windows, painted the entire inside, remodeled the master bathroom, finished the basement, re-sided the house, and landscaped the front lawn, I was still pretty optimistic.
After the pipe to the hose bib burst and flooded the downstairs living room, the tree man cut down the irreplaceable second story balcony for no apparent reason, the garbage disposal broke and the pipes under the kitchen sink rusted out and flooded the laundry room, I started getting a little concerned.
When we discovered that the house had an architectural flaw that made our brand new, custom made bow window impossible to install without major modifications, and we realized half way through that turning the attic into a walk in closet was a nightmare, I started to worry.  A lot. 
When I tried to peel off the wallpaper in the master bathroom so I could re-paper it, and the walls began to crumble, we brought home the wrong fixtures four times, the township refused to give us a permit to replace the front porch that we had just torn down, and the basement started to leak after we finished it, I realized that worrying was not the answer.  I considered drinking.
Then ... when the master bathroom recently started leaking into the kitchen below, the central air conditioner died, the guest bathroom began to leak into the living room, the dishwasher needed repairs, my nursing license expired, the hot water heater rusted and needed to be replaced, the roof sprung a leak ruining the new paint in the master bedroom, and the refrigerator/freezer motor burnt out and all the food inside spoiled, allowing the smell of spoiled fish and fowl to permeate the entire house... I was getting darn close to ... panic.
But now ... my computer ... the one that has safely housed the unpublished manuscript that I have been writing for the PAST FIVE YEARS has crashed.  Self-destructed.
Most people would be numb by now.  But my pain ... has no relief.  I never did get around to copying my manuscript onto a floppy disk or CD, even though I had promised myself that I would do just that a thousand times.Glancing over at MY blank computer screen, I am ... consoled by the fact that RAY'S computer is working just fine.  He still has all the scores from his skillions of FreeCell Games safely stored in his hard drive.  All the jokes from his Internet buddies are still intact, easily accessible and ready to be enjoyed again and again.So as I sit here, grieving over all my lost files, breathing through my mouth so as not to assault my nostrils with the painfully slow fading scent of fish and fowl from the basement, mumbling to myself trying to remember how I started that first sentence of my manuscript back in 1999, I hear raindrops starting to fall on the roof.  The ones that will be leaking into the bedroom and the basement in just a few more minutes.  Not to be confused with the bathroom leaks in the kitchen and the living room, of course.  But ... at least I now have air conditioning.

And I realize ... no one would even notice the smell if I killed Ray...